Pavlos on Software: The bazaar

Engineers are like farmers. You approach them at the market and say "I'd like to cook an Indian meal" and they go "Great! We make venison, shallots, oats, and blackberries". You ask "But will these work for an Indian meal?". "Sure, taste some of our fine blackberries!"

Managers are like designer chefs. They arrive at the Farmer's market and say "I have determined that the customer wants red snapper with mangoes, passion fruit, saffron, and palm hearts". And the engineers say "You're in Scotland. We have venison, shallots...". "No matter! You must provide what the customer wants. I'll be back tomorrow".